HLTV AWARDS BY 1XBET RETURN JANUARY 9, 2027, FEATURING DUST2 CREATOR DAVID JOHNSTON AND NEW LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

• HLTV Awards presented 1xBet returns to Serbia on January 9, 2027, with David Johnston to feature as an award announcer
• A new addition to the HLTV Awards is the Lifetime Achievement Award, which will be decided by the Hall of Fame Board
• To mark the launch of the 2027 Awards season, HLTV will host the HLTV Awards by 1xBet Launch Party x GRID, an exclusive invite-only event taking place in Cologne during the Major
• Industry members can apply for an invite to the ceremony here: hltv.org/awards

HLTV is excited to announce that the HLTV Awards presented by 1xBet will return to Belgrade, Serbia, on January 9th, 2027, bringing together the global Counter-Strike community to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the 2026 season.

Following the success of previous editions, the ceremony will once again take place at the Sava Center, where more than 1,000 players, industry professionals, creators, and fans are expected to gather. The HLTV Conference by GRID will also be returning, a one-day industry conference bringing together the most influential voices in Counter-Strike.

One of the highlights of the evening will be the attendance of David Johnston, creator of the legendary Counter-Strike map Dust2, who will also take part in the ceremony as an award announcer. His appearance coincides with the 25th anniversary of Dust2, widely regarded as the most iconic map in FPS history.

Hall of Fame Changes For 2026

The HLTV Hall of Fame, presented by 1xBet, enters its third year with several updates for 2026. Four players will once again be inducted, with at least two and up to three spots reserved for players from the Counter-Strike 1.6 and early CS eras to ensure recognition of the game’s pioneers.

Eligibility rules have also been updated to remove the former “neo rule,” allowing players to be inducted for their playing careers even if they remain active in other roles, such as coaching.

The selection process will begin after the IEM Cologne Major, when the Hall of Fame committee will nominate 10 candidates, 5 from the pre-CS:GO era and 5 from the CS:GO/CS2 era. Four players will ultimately earn induction into the Hall of Fame.

Introducing The Lifetime Achievement Award

A new addition to the HLTV Awards is the Lifetime Achievement Award. Selected by the Hall of Fame Board, the award will recognise an individual who has made a lasting and transformative impact on Counter-Strike throughout its history.

The ceremony will also elevate the recognition of community contributors. For the first time, Community Awards will be presented during the main stage show rather than the pre-show segment, ensuring that the individuals receive their moment in the spotlight on the big stage.

Full list of 2026 HLTV Awards

• Player of the year presented by 1xBet
• Women’s Player of the year presented by 1xBet
• Team of the year presented by 1xBet
• Women’s team of the year presented by 1xBet
• Rookie of the year presented by TBD
• IGL of the year presented by 1xBet
• AWPer of the year presented by 1xBet
• Anchor of the year presented by 1xBet
• Closer of the year presented by 1xBet
• Opener of the year presented by 1xBet
• Coach of the year presented by 1xBet
• Highlight of the year presented by 1xBet
• Talent of the year presented by 1xBet
• Streamer of the year presented by 1xBet
• Creator of the year presented by 1xBet
• Event of the year presented by 1xBet
• Skin of the year presented by Skin.Club
• Hall of Fame presented by 1xBet
• Lifetime Achievement Award presented by 1xBet